Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Chasing Christmas Eve: A Heartbreaker Bay Novel
    Chasing Christmas Eve: A Heartbreaker Bay Novel
    Chasing Christmas Eve: A Heartbreaker Bay Novel
    Audiobook9 hours

    Chasing Christmas Eve: A Heartbreaker Bay Novel

    Written by Jill Shalvis

    Narrated by Karen White

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    A standalone Heartbreaker Bay novel

    Meet cute...

    Run for the hills—temporarily. That’s Colbie Albright’s plan when she flees New York for San Francisco. Wrangling her crazy family by day and writing a bestselling YA fantasy series by night has taken its toll. In short, Colbie’s so over it that she’s under it. She’s also under the waters of a historic San Francisco fountain within an hour of arrival. Fortunately, the guy who fishes Colbie out has her looking forward to Christmas among strangers. But she’s pretty sure Spencer Baldwin won’t be a stranger for long.

    Make merry...

    Spence’s commitment to hiding from the Ghosts of Relationships Past means he doesn’t have to worry about the powerful—okay, crazy hot—chemistry he’s got with Colbie. Just because she can laugh at anything, especially herself... just because she’s gorgeous and a great listener…just because she “gets” Spence immediately doesn’t mean he won’t be able to let Colbie go. Does it?

    …and hope for a miracle.

    Now the clock’s ticking for Colbie and Spence: Two weeks to cut loose. Two weeks to fall hard. Two weeks to figure out how to make this Christmas last a lifetime.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperAudio
    Release dateSep 26, 2017
    ISBN9780062699688
    Chasing Christmas Eve: A Heartbreaker Bay Novel
    Author

    Jill Shalvis

    New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis lives in a small town in the Sierras full of quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is, um, mostly coincidental. Look for Jill’s bestselling, award-winning novels wherever books are sold and visit her website, jillshalvis.com, for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures.

    More audiobooks from Jill Shalvis

    Related to Chasing Christmas Eve

    Related audiobooks

    Romance For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      The Wrong Shampoo

      Apr 10, 2022

      Brandy scoured the rows of bubble gum bright shampoo bottles. How much time had passed already? She looked to the front of the store but couldn’t see the checkout lines. She had only been to Jeff’s apartment once so far and didn’t remember what brand

      16 min read

    • Article

      Lech

      Feb 8, 2022

      Lech
      4 min read

    • Article

      A Temporary Arrangement

      Oct 2, 2023

      A Temporary Arrangement
      19 min read

    • Article

      Freedom

      Aug 6, 2020

      Freedom
      7 min read

    • Article

      Push

      Aug 4, 2022

      Push
      5 min read

    • Article

      Proverbs Of A Faceless Time

      Dec 1, 2023

      Proverbs Of A Faceless Time
      9 min read

    • Article

      Australia Reads At Home

      May 18, 2020

      Australia Reads At Home
      7 min read

    • Article

      Restless Souls

      Mar 6, 2018

      Restless Souls
      8 min read

    • Article

      Echos

      Jan 10, 2019

      Before Corrine’s husband abandoned her in Berlin, he liked to say that her name reminded him of the word “corrupt.” But ending in a twist rather than a split. Her last name was the French word for “swimsuit” but he never mentioned that. This seemed s

      17 min read

    • Article

      The Missing Limousine

      Sep 28, 2021

      The Missing Limousine
      21 min read

    • Article

      Foxes

      Jun 15, 2019

      What’s worth happening happens in deep woods. Or so my daughter tells me. Her plotlines: In the deep woods someone is chasing, someone else is getting hacked. Hatchets are lifted, brought downdowndown. Men stutter blood onto snow. A cast of animals—s

      17 min read

    • Article

      Supportive Husband

      Sep 12, 2023

      There were less intimate places available, so it was odd when a woman took the seat directly facing mine across the subway aisle. I looked up from my book and right back down: a couple of months before, we’d gone home together. She had a Southern acc

      22 min read

    • Article

      A Little About Why

      Jun 1, 2023

      A Little About Why
      15 min read

    • Article

      Klara

      May 21, 2020

      Klara
      28 min read

    • Article

      Come with Me

      Dec 1, 2022

      Come with Me
      12 min read

    • Article

      Runaway Bride

      Aug 21, 2023

      It’s definitely a mistake to have worn the dress to the airport. Alana knows that the second she walks past the terminal’s Wetherspoons – rammed at 5.30am – and is greeted by a chorus of “Lost your groom, love?” by a bunch of drunk stags in matching

      6 min read

    • Article

      A Double Life

      Dec 7, 2020

      Sadie is in the kitchen, already dressed in school uniform, fastening the clips on the violin she chose for her most recent birthday, when Gabriela heads downstairs the following morning. Seven years old: how the hell did that happen? Briefly, she wo

      6 min read

    • Article

      Best Of The Best

      Oct 29, 2022

      Best Of The Best
      8 min read

    • Article

      The Duplex

      Jun 9, 2020

      I moved to Los Angeles to sing. When was this? August? June? I was twenty-nine, and those were shapeless months, when the days blended together and I refused to pull them apart. My landlord was unusually close to her adult son. His name was Jeffrey,

      21 min read

    • Article

      The Women Who Ran Away

      Jul 20, 2020

      Grand Canal, Dublin, Ireland: 53.3309˚N 6.2588˚W. Even after she’d put her luggage in the tiny boot of the convertible, Deira still wasn’t sure if she was going to go through with it. Which was crazy, she told herself, because this was the easy bit.

      8 min read

    • Article

      Let’s Play Dead

      Mar 3, 2020

      There was a man, let’s call him Henry VIII. There was his wife, let’s call her Anne B. Let’s give them a castle and make it nice. Let’s give her many boy babies but make them dead. Let’s give him a fussy way of being. Let’s make her smart and sneaky,

      17 min read

    • Article

      Rising Sign

      Feb 4, 2021

      Rising Sign
      10 min read

    • Article

      Year Of The Rat

      Nov 24, 2020

      Year Of The Rat
      11 min read

    • Article

      Welcome to Reliance

      Dec 1, 2021

      Welcome to Reliance
      11 min read

    • Article

      Human Contact

      Aug 10, 2022

      Beer tasted like wet money—or maybe just bad beer did. Viola had never tried any other kind. She preferred white wine, but there was no white wine at this party. “Drink it like medicine,” the guy manning the keg said. “It’ll loosen you up.” He wore a

      18 min read

    • Article

      Mature Adults In Your Area

      Aug 8, 2022

      I would say that I don’t normally do this kind of thing, except that on and off over the months and years, I’ve done “these kinds of things” too many times for that to be true. So yeah, I go on dates from time to time. This recent guy wouldn’t choose

      6 min read

    • Article

      Absolute Best

      Apr 30, 2021

      Absolute Best
      20 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for Chasing Christmas Eve

    4/5

    79 ratings11 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 4/5
      Ok, Spence . . .

      I would make sense for Spence to get his story after Elle since she pretty much keeps him in check. But the "Old Man Eddie" element through me off. Regardless, Colbie is the perfect person for him. I'm glad they ran into each other.

      4 stars
    • 5/5
      Fun trip back to San Francisco and the magical fountain of love. I've been looking forward to Spence's story and loved that he found someone so perfect for him. Spence has a big heart that he hides behind a loner façade. He is a brilliant inventor who gets lost in his work, which has been the death of several relationships. Having decided that love and work don't mix, he has written romance out of his life. His friends are his family, and that's enough for him until he collides with Colbie. Colbie is the famous author of a young adult fantasy series and the glue that holds her family together. When the stress of writing a new book and wrangling her helpless family members gets too much, she runs away from home. Thanks to an unforeseen series of events, she ends up in San Francisco instead of a tropical island. The next thing she knows, an out-of-control dog knocks her into a fountain, and she's pulled out by the best-looking man she's ever seen. I loved seeing the relationship develop between Colbie and Spence. The sparks flew between them from the moment Spence pulled Colbie out of the fountain. She so enchanted him that he acted entirely out of character, from rescuing her from the fountain to renting her an apartment in his building. Colbie was just as attracted to Spence but wary. She's only in town for three weeks for rest and relaxation and to get her writing mojo back. Spence suddenly finds himself willing to put his work aside to help Colbie fulfill her bucket list of things to do while in San Francisco. Neither Colbie nor Spence is interested in a relationship. Colbie has too much on her plate, and she won't be around for long. Spence's aversion to relationships is well known. But nothing says they can't indulge in a fling while she's there and enjoy each other's company. I loved watching Spence come out of hiding and take pleasure in surprising Colbie with various activities. The serious and introverted workaholic becomes a bit more social, and his friends are stunned by the changes they see in him. Colbie has been so immersed in her writing and caring for her family that doing fun things for herself had never been possible until she met Spence. I loved the friendship that grew between them and how easily they understood each other. Neither gets bent out of shape if one gets lost in a project or a moment of inspiration. I loved their time together and seeing them learn to balance their lives. It doesn't take too long to realize they want more togetherness. But neither is ready to risk rejection by saying anything, as each assumes that the other is still in "fling" mode. Then a misunderstanding makes things awkward between them, and Colbie plans to leave early. The scene before she leaves is heartbreakingly emotional as Colbie allows her fears to keep her from admitting what she wants. Just a few days apart, and some kick-in-the-pants conversations with those who love them make Spence and Colbie realize what they've given up. I loved the ending and seeing Spence and Colbie let go of their fears and find joy together. The scene at the pub was fantastic, with not just an emotional reunion but a funny reminder of just how well Spence understands her. The epilogue was terrific, with a surprise from a sweetly awkward Spence. One of the things I love about this series is the close group of friends that it is centered around. Each has their unique quirks and personalities that make them real and relatable. In this book, Elle was one of my favorites. She is very protective of Spence, which makes her suspicious of Colbie, especially considering Colbie's secretiveness about some things. Colbie eventually wins her over just by being herself, and in the end, she and Elle are friends. I liked how accepting of Colbie the whole gang was, especially when they saw what she meant to Spence. I also loved Eddie, the homeless man who hangs out in the courtyard. His advice to the residents is always spot-on. There was a revelation about Eddie and his past that I never saw coming but made his advice to Spence especially poignant.
    • 2/5
      funny book. Banker Colbie runs away from her family and bumps into Spence in San Francisco, literally. Cute vignettes and double entendre's throughout.
    • 5/5
      Spence has a past he's overcome and a future that is only limited by...himself. Don't freak out...he's not sick...but he is a GUY and they don't always have the whole relationship thing down pat. In his case, it's endearing as his pitfalls are mainly assuming history will repeat itself, and yeah, pretty much that. It's hard to watch a guy with as much heart as he has struggle with this inner demon, but THANK GOODNESS for his circle of friends, and one Colbie Albright.

      Colbie has secrets of her own, as well as a past that she's (mostly) overcome, and a future that looks like she might just want shades for, but that doesn't mean that's exactly what she needs. With her mind wheeling and her feet flying, there was no telling where she'd end up or for how long, but fate has a way of stepping in and taking those seemingly random ingredients of our life and turning them into something WONDERFUL.

      In the end, it was a FANTASTIC addition to the series for readers to enjoy and collect in their virtual family albums. After all, Heartbreaker Bay families aren't simply about blood relations, but the family and friends we CHOOSE to surround ourselves with. Recommended for adult readers (heat factor!) of the author's current fandom as well as those who love a great Contemporary Romance that'll have you in a merry mood in no time flat.


      **copy received for review
    • 5/5
      4.5 Stars - Spence, I was looking forward to his story. He is kind and sweet and focused on work and I loved that Colbie was a distraction. Being strong and caring, she was a good match for Spence. The two had wonderful chemistry and I really enjoyed the book. There were a few good laughs, some sigh worthy moments and a wonderful cast of characters. I mean come on, who doesn't love that crew of friends Spence has! I am looking forward to the next book in the series.


      ~Paragraphs and Petticoats~
    • 4/5
      What happens when two geeks who don't know how to be social collide? One can only imagine! Spence has been burned by a woman he was too busy to pay attention to. Colbie is burned by the family she has enabled for far too long. When Colbie falls into the famous make a wish and fall in love fountain, these two fall under the fountain's spell.

      In Ms. shalvis's signature style, Spence and Colbie each have issues to overcome, and their mutual attraction grows.

      This one gets off to a slow start, but in true fashion, I had a hard time putting it down. I liked that not everyone fits into the family of friends that live in the Pacific Pier building, and Evil Elle makes Colbie feel very unwelcome. That doesn't interfere with the happily ever after, however.

      Another thumbs up.
    • 4/5
      YA author Colbie Albright fled to San Francisco desperately trying to get over a case of writer's block. She accidently falls into a fountain and is rescued by Spencer Baldwin, genius tech guy and workaholic. There's an immediate attraction and Spencer offers to show Colbie around town, both knowing this will be a short-term relationship as Colbie has to return to her responsibilities in New York City. I haven't read any of the other books in the Heartbreaker Bay series though I plan to go back now. I always enjoy Jill Shalvis books and this was no exception. Colbie and Spencer are two of my favorite hero/heroine prototypes, geeky and totally involved in their work, and I loved how they learned to adapt to each other's needs and make their relationship work. This is a lovely story for the holidays or any time.
    • 4/5
      I just loved this story! I have found this series to be consistently good so I was really excited to get my hands on this newest installment. I was even more excited to read this one once I discovered it would be Spence's story since I have really enjoyed his character in the previous books in the series. I had pretty high expectations going into this book and it met or exceeded every one of them. I had such a good time reading this charming romance.Spence and Colbie are the focus of this story. Spence has had a role in the previous books in this series that revolves around a group of friends and the building that they live and work in. Spence happens to own the building and is the genius of the group. He spends his time inventing and working out complex problems.Colbie is a big name author and the stress of her life has prompted her to run away from everything for just a bit. Colbie meets Spence during an unfortunate encounter at a rather famous fountain. They are so much fun to see together from that very first meeting. Colbie decides to stay for a while so that she can get the break that she so desperately needs.Spence and Colbie were just adorable together. They had great chemistry from the very beginning of the story. There were so many moments that brought a huge grin my face and I may have chuckled out loud a time or too. The banter between this pair was really well done and provided a nice balance to the hotter sections of the story.I would highly recommend this book to fans of contemporary romance. This book is the fourth book in the Heartbreaker Bay but it could easily be read as a stand alone novel. Readers of the series will enjoy seeing all of the characters featured in earlier books in the series. I can't wait to see what happens next in Heartbreaker Bay!I received an advance reader edition of this book from Avon Books via Edelweiss.
    • 4/5
      Chasing Christmas Eve by Jill Shalvis is a 2017 Avon publication. A light, slightly offbeat, and humorous holiday tale set in romantic San Francisco.This fourth installment in the Heartbreaker Bay series features two adorable socially awkward workaholics, in Colbie and Spencer, who literally take a fall… right into the ‘Make a Wish’ fountain. Colbie is a famous Young Adult author experiencing a case of writer’s block, under a hard and a looming deadline, who needs a break from all the pressure and from her co-dependent family who is putting a serious drain on her mojo. She decides to run away for a little vacation so she recharge and recapture her love of writing. San Francisco was not her first choice of destinations, but it just might be her best choice, after all. Spencer is a very successful tech genius, but that success has come at a price. His workaholic habits have already cost him one serious relationship, making him wary of getting involved with anyone again. But, when he meets Colbie, the two seem to really hit it off! That’s great, right? The two ‘get’ each other like no one else ever has. But, Colbie has promised her family she would be home by Christmas Eve, when she will have to return to the daily grind and back to her all responsibilities. Can the couple find a way to make their newfound relationship work or will they have to say goodbye forever? I’ve struggled to find just the right word to describe this novel. Compared to the other books in the series, this one is a little- eccentric? Maybe? It’s quirky, a little goofy, and zany and lots of fun. Of course, It goes without saying, there are some hilarious scenes, and the dialogue is snappy. The story has plenty of energy, the tone is very light, but the emotional elements are more subdued.There are a few minor drawbacks, however, such as Colbie’s substitutions for ‘colorful metaphors’, which was cute in the beginning, but sort of lost their charm by the end of the book- at least for me. The sexual chemistry is hot and steamy, but due to time constraints, I suppose, the build -up was too short, which stunted the emotional growth in the relationship. But, the romantic comedy format is nice and maybe even somewhat of a relief.. There are a few touching and gooey moments, of course, but it did give me a break from the sugary sweet and sappy, overly emotional, heart string tugging holiday tales I'm normally inundated with. So, personally, had no problems with the lighter approach in this one. For the most part, I enjoyed this slightly unconventional Romcom, which really did lighten my mood and made me literally laugh out loud once or twice. So, if you are in the market for a light, fun, and sexy holiday story, this is the book for you. Enjoy! 3.5 stars
    • 4/5
      Spence's story!!!Spence and Colbie start with a meet-cute, move on to a we're-just-in-a-temporary-thing-here (a list of vacation must-dos is involved--I'm with Spence, #10 is the best one on it), keep a secret (or seven) from each other, and end up with an HEA that might be a bit quick but still feels hard-won. In between, Colbie spends an awful lot of time getting unexpectedly drenched (good thing she's in CA not NY that time of year!), is taken in by a stray cat, and finds some real friends. Oh, and kisses writer's block buh-bye. All wins. Throw in Spence's sexy geekiness and Tina's baked goods, and really, what more could you want? ;)Chasing Christmas Eve is the 4th full-length story (2.5 is a novella) in the Heartbreaker Bay series, but it could work as a standalone if needed. The other series characters play roles here--the historic building that Spence owns where they all work/live is described, pretty accurately, as a self-contained slightly smaller Mayberry--but you don't have to have read their books yet to enjoy this story.You'll want to read their stories, though--just sayin'.Joe and Kylie's book is next--can't wait! :)Rating: 4 stars / A-I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
    • 5/5
      Chasing Christmas Eve by Jill ShalvisA Heartbreaker Bay Novel #4What is the best gift one can be given for the holidays? Love…or…perhaps a wonderful romance that has great characters that care about one another and then learn to love a person that shows up on their doorstep just a few weeks before Christmas. Oh…and characters that make you WANT them to be together because they make one another so very happy. I have enjoyed every one of this author’s books that I have read. The Heartbreaker Bay series is filled with people that I wish I could be friends with – oh – to be able to walk into one of the businesses to chat with any of them or perhaps to go and wish at the magical fountain or to be there immersed in their camaraderie…or have a cup of coffee or a tasty cupcake or a girls’ night out - wouldn’t that be grand? Anyway, this is the story of Colbie and Spence. Colbie has been responsible for way too much for many years and is in need of a break SO she takes one without telling those near and dear to her where she has gone. When she arrives in San Francisco she ends up wet and bedraggled and shortly in the arms of Spence, owner of that magic fountain I mentioned in the previous paragraph. Colbie is looking for her writing block to be unblocked and Spence is diligently working to overcome a glitch in the most recent invention he is working on. They know that should anything happen between them there is an expiration date because Colbie is returning to New York in three weeks. In spite of or perhaps because of that timeline…things heat up…they enjoy one another…try to avoid feelings for one another…but…not so easily achieved…and…just how can there be a future for them with three thousand miles between his abode and hers? Spence and Colbie are great together. I really loved their times socializing with each other and others…and also enjoyed their steamier interactions, too. The group Spence considers “family” are wonderful so catching up with the three couples that had their stories told in the first three books was a special treat. AND it is marvelous knowing that there are so many great characters mentioned in the book that so richly deserve to have their own HEA’s in the future – that means that there will be MORE books in the series for me to look forward to. I am definitely not ready to say goodbye to this series any time soon! Thank you to the author for the ARC of this novel – This is my honest review.5 Stars